Annette Moore is a force of nature. She is kind as can be, and you’ll know within two minutes of meeting her how smart and determined she is. By profession, she’s an attorney with an extensive background in human rights advocacy. By passion, she’s a nationally ranked fencer with an “E” rating (she’s currently 13^th in the country in her division but expects to break into the top eight this year) with her eye on international competition.  

Annette’s enthusiasm for fencing is evident. In addition to competing, she mentors young fencers in her club—sharing the Mandela maxim, “I never lose. I either win or learn.”—and is the president of Forge Fencing’s new foundation, which aims to make fencing accessible through community outreach and initiatives to remove cost barriers. She competes regularly and has even managed to get her grandson involved in the sport. Despite her heavy involvement in fencing, Annette only began three years ago shortly before she retired. So, how did she get started on this incredible journey? The seeds were planted when she was a Girl Scout. 

Annette’s father was in the army, and she went to seventeen different schools before high school. When she was young, they had moved to Alaska, but Annette hadn’t made any friends since school hadn’t started yet. She joined Girl Scouts to make friends but also gained an incredible mentor.  

“The troop leader saw me in a leadership role, so she started pushing me forward into doing leadership things from the very beginning. I don’t know why. I’m shy; I was afraid to talk to anybody. But she pushed me out there. I think that began a pattern in my life to help me to—even when I didn’t want to—to stand up, to do things, and to kind of get out in front of my shyness.” Annette recounted a time at camp when she was afraid to lead the flag ceremony, but her leader pushed her anyway. “I did it. And how that experience, throughout my life, thinking back over things that I thought I can’t do and seeing, ‘but I did it, and it wasn’t so bad, and I got through it.’ …is also what led me to be where I am today.” She added, “I think that someone believing in you… it changes to you believing in you.” 

That belief in her success propelled her toward her fencing career. She first encountered fencing by watching it during the Olympics as a kid. She didn’t have access to a fencing club then, but “I kept saying, ‘I’m going to be a fencer. I’m going to do this.’ I was stuck on that. It was my dream.” Annette kept her fixation on being a fencer and eventually went for it later in life. She found a club and worked with her doctors to get in good enough shape to take up the sport, even doing rehab to relearn to breathe after years of asthma. Annette is matter-of-fact about her intense determination. “If you have a dream, the only person who can stop you from your dream is you. You shouldn’t let anybody talk you out of your dream.” 

Annette brings her Girl Scout water bottle to her fencing tournaments and finds that many of her fellow fencers were also Girl Scouts. Her theory behind the overlap? “Being a Girl Scout is about being fearless, and fencing is, too.” And “Fencing is a thinking sport, and Girl Scouts is for thinkers.” 

“I always tell people, “I’m a Girl Scout” because Girl Scouts can do anything. Doing the badges—living this life that is Girl Scouts—helps you determine what your values are and who you are as a person. And what you want to show to the world. It helped me determine what my career was, how I was going to show up in my career. That I was going to be an advocate, and how I was going to advocate for people. I think it brought out the best in me because Girl Scouts teaches us to be the best we can be and to give our best.” 

Annette brought those Girl Scout values to her fencing journey. She loves how fencing, like Girl Scouts, is for everybody. Anyone can fence, regardless of age, gender, size, or ability. She sought out a fencing club that echoed her ideals. She found it at Forge Fencing, where they prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion; developing young peoples’ leadership skills; and creating a community. And she is clearly, and rightfully, proud of her ability to bring her passion and values together through Forge’s foundation.  

So what’s next for this impressive and tenacious Girl Scout? Annette will keep fencing and keep competing. Her goal is to become the national and, eventually, the world champion. And if you’re wondering, Annette has no doubts about whether she can get there. “I’m pretty sure. I can do anything I set my mind to.” When she does, she plans to wear her Girl Scout shirt. 

Want to learn more about how Girl Scouts embodies Annette’s values? Visit our website to learn how Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines prioritizes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and how Girl Scouts advocates for issues affecting girls and women. Need help making Girl Scouts financially accessible? Fill out this form to request financial assistance.